Interlocking chain-link.



A. K. HARNLY. INTERLOCKING CHAIN LlNK.

APPLICATlON FILED AFR.19, I915.

Patented Feb. 15, 1916.

. THE COLUMBIA PLANouRAPl-l CO WASHINGTON. D. c.

out in thesubjoined claims.

ALBER'IYK. HARNLY, or READING, PENNSYLVANIA;

IIVITERLOGKING' GRAIN-Link.

Application'filed Apri1l9,1915.- seminal). 22,286.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALBERT of Pennsylvania,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Interlocking ChainLinks, of whichthe followingis a specification.

My inventlon relates to interlocking links adapted to be strung togetherto form achain and my ob ect 1s to provide a hnk of, simple and cheapconstructlon that may be quickly and easily strung upon an adjoins mgllnk and be securely retained thereon.

Thelnvention is fully describedm connection with the accom anin'clrawin' 's and the novel features are specifically pointed Figure 1shows several links embodying my invention strung together to form achain. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section or one of the links. Fig. 3indicates the positi'on of two links about to be interlocked and Fig. 4:is a side view of the same. Fig. 5 shows two links interlocked, the jawend of one link being shown 1n section, and the dotted lines indicatingonelink as passing the bridge portion of the other link. Fig. 6indicates a modified construction.

The preferred embodiment of my, invention shown in Figs. 1 to 5 of thedrawings indicates a link having a substantially T- shaped cross-sectionthe head portion 2 of which forms the periphery of the link and thereduced portion 3 thereof extending inward to form a web. This web 8,adjacent one end as shown, is extended across the link to provide areinforcing bridge 4 beyond which the link is cut away to form a gap 5.

The opening 6 in the web below the gap .5 is enlarged to a sizesuflicient to permit encircling the head portion 2 of a similar link,and the web is tapered away at 7 7 toward the gap 5 so as to form jaws 8adapted to en- 7 gage the link with an adjoining link when strung uponthe latter in the manner hereinafter' described. The gap 5 is of lesswidth than the head portion 2 so as to permit engagementv of the linksat any point in their periphery, and a chain may be made up by stringingtogether any number of links all of which are of similar construction.

It is important in chains made up of detachable links that each linkmaybe. quickly K. HARXLY, a

;c1t1zen of. the United States, residing at Readlng, 111 the county ofBerks and State and simply engagedwith another, and that when thus:engagedthey will not unlock excepting as to the end links, and this]only when desired. My invention provides for this by permitting theinterlocking or detachingot one link from another only whenSpecification of Letters Patent. Pate td 15 191 the links. arelin oneposition in relation to one another and then only when moved in acertainmanner. This interlocking or de- -=tach1ng 1s.' ,.accompl1shed asjollows; Two

links about to be interlockedlare"placed one upon the other as shown n Fgs. "3 and 4, with a. aw of each link lyingin the gap 5 between the jawsof the other linlnan'd then by moving the one link'inthe direction ofthe arrow 10, Fig.,4:,,the jaws willpass' 7 through the gaps5 into theopenings 6 be tween the tapered webs 7, 7. 1 When straightened out thelinks will assume the position indicated in Fig. 5, the two links beinginterlocked by the aws of one link engaging the jaws oftheother, as thegaps 5 are of,

less width tha-n the'thickness ofthe links.

The one link may then" be moved around the periphery of the otherlink toassume the position indicated in Fig. .1, the bridge 4: of each linkpassing through the gap 5 of the interlocked ring as indicated in dottedposition Fig.5. Other links maybe added,

the chain growing from one end only, and when thus made up they cannotbe separated eXcept by a reversal of the interlocking movements.

The bridge 4 adds greatly to the strength of the link, supporting thejaws's against the spreading tendency incident to any strain upon thechain, but when light loads only are to be sustained. this bridge may beomitted as indicated in Fig. 6, where two hooks are shown interlocked,but obviously 'might be two links of a chain. The end links of a chainmay be made with any suitable connection, for securing it to an objectsuch as a hanging lamp, and the link at the other end may be connectedin any manner, as for instance a hook, or bolt passed through theopening 6. My improved link is of simple and cheap construction, permitsin a novel manner for interlocking with other links, insures againstaccidental detachment, and provides in a rigid one piece struotureadetachable link of great strength.

The links may of course be variously shaped and ornamented as called forin latter being of less width than the head of the T, thereby'foriningengaging aws for a 3. A chain made up of gapped links having; areinforcing bridge rearward of the gapped portion, and the latterforming engaging jaws for a similar connectingpiece.

a. At chain made up of gapped links having a reinforcing bridge rearwardof the gapped portion, and thelatter forming engaging jaws, said bridgebeing of less thickness than the gapped aws and the latter being adaptedto pass over the bridge of a similar connectedpiece and engage'thelatter at a point opposite its-jaws. I

5. A chain having gapped' links vof substantially T-fshapedcross-section the web portion of which extends inward, said web forminga reinforcing bridge rearward of the gap and being tapered away towardthe latter to form engagingjaws for a similar connecting plece.

6. A chain having gapped links: of substantially T-shaped cross-sectionthe web portion of which extends inward, said :web'

forming a reinforcing bridge rearward of the gap and being tapered awaytoward the latter to form engaging ]aws adapted to assover the bridge ofa similar connecting piece and engage the latter at a point opposite itsgap.

7. A chain 'rnade up of interlocking links, each link being gapped andof substantially "ll-shaped cross-section the-web portion of whicherr-ends inward, said web forniingfa reinforcing bridge rearward of thegap and being tapered away toward the latter to form engaging ,jawsadapted to enter the gap and pass over the bridge ofan adjoininglink andengage thelatter at a pointjop posite its gap; v I

8. YA plurality of interlooking links each having a gap and ofsubstantially T -shaped cross-section the web portion of whichextendsinward said web being tapered away toward the gap, and the latter beingof less 'widththan the head of the T,' thereby form- 'ing engaging jaws,the jaws of the respective links being; interlockable by a deter, minedrelative positioning and movement substantially as set forth.

A plurality of interlocking links each of rigid onepiece constructionand having a gagped portion forming engaging jaws, the aws of therespective links-being 1nterlook-' able by a determined relativepositioning and movement substantially asset forth;

In testimony whereof -I afiix my signature.

' ALBERT K. HARNLY;

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, b'y'addressing the Commissioner: oflatents,

' Washington, D. 0.

